Dan Hayes

The first person to be convicted following an investigation under Operation Daybreak has today been given a sentence totalling 19 years in prison and on licence.

Ivor John Bethel, 62, of Barnhill Road, Wembley, in London, admitted multiple charges of rape and indecency with a child during a hearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday 3 December.

He appeared at the same court today (Wednesday 20 January) for sentencing.

He must serve at least ten years of a 15-year custodial sentence before he can be considered for parole. Following his release, he will spend four years on an extended licence.

In addition to his custodial sentence, a restraining order and sexual harm prevention order, which forbids him from having any contact with any girl aged under 16 were granted.

Bethell’s crimes came to light as result of enquiries carried out under Operation Daybreak.

Detective Inspector Rob McKinnell, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Bethell subjected his victim to frequent sexual assaults, despite knowing full well that she was a child and below the age of consent.

“He is an extremely dangerous man who has previous convictions for serious sexual offences against children, including a previous ten-year sentence for rape following a conviction in the south of England in 2003.

“As a result of that conviction, he has already been placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and is disqualified from working with children.

“Despite being subject to those sanctions and even taking into consideration his age, we, together with the Crown Prosecution Service, asked the court to strengthen the conditions he was already subject to by seeking a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which prevents him having contact with any female under the age of 16.”

DI McKinnell added: “As well as the danger Bethell would continue to present were he not beginning another lengthy prison sentence, what cannot be overstated is the courage of his victim to disclose what happened to her more than 30 years ago to the investigation team who have supported her through this traumatic journey where she has shown absolute strength and resilience throughout to ensure justice for her would be achieved.

“It has had and continues to have a considerable impact on her life and her ability and willingness to trust other adults.

“We hope that this sentence will encourage others to come forward to the police.”

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